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A major contract to remove the
stern of the container vessel MSC Napoli has been awarded to the
newly-established company Global Response Maritime B.V., based in The
Netherlands.
The
contract, placed by the vessel owners, calls for the clearance of a stern
section with an estimated weight of around 3,800 tonnes.
MSC
Napoli became a casualty during a violent Channel storm in January 2007.
The vessel was beached deliberately, in order to prevent her sinking in the
English Channel. Subsequent operations, by other contractors, included
recovery of bunkers, containers and the forepart of the ship.
The
work scope under the new contract involves the total removal of the stern,
including main engine, together with delivery of all scrap to the recovery
facility of Scheepssloperij Nederland B.V at Gravendeel, in The
Netherlands.
G.R.
Maritime B.V. has been formed by Joint Managing Directors Klaas J.
Reinigert and Paul Glerum. Paul Glerum says: "This project is an
excellent launch-pad for the new venture, which will develop as a major
response service provider."
The
equipment required for removal of MSC Napoli's stern includes the crane
barge "Anna" of subcontractor Hapo International Barges, two 140
m flat-top barges equipped with heavy mobile cranes and two tugs. The task
also requires diving and drilling spreads and a series of 24 chain-pullers.
The
project method involves drilling under the stern and the positioning of
lifting chains. This part of the operation is subcontracted to DISA in
Beerse, Belgium, using crane barge "Anna" as the main work
platform. Chain pullers will be installed on the two lifting barges. These
will be moored parallel to the stern section. The chains will then be
connected up to the pullers and tensioned. The barges will be ballasted
down, to compensate for the forces acting on the pullers and reduce
movement in the swell.
With
all preparations completed, the stern will be lifted clear of the seabed -
freeing the starboard bilge keel from the trench in which the stern is
embedded. At this point, the two barges will be in catamaran configuration,
with the stern section suspended between them. Next they will be rotated
bow into swell.
The
barges' mooring systems will be reinforced with grout anchors. It will be
possible to set down the stern, should this be necessary in hostile
weather.
Scrapping
will commence when the pullers bring the wreck to the surface. Sections
with weights of around 100 tonnes will be cut and lifted onto the main
decks of the barges, utilising the two cranes. This operation will continue
until the weight is reduced to around 1,200 tonnes. A decision will then be
taken as to whether to lift this as one unit with the assistance of a
sheerlegs or continue cutting until it is within the capacity of the larger
of the two cranes (rated at 500 tonnes). This crane will also recover the
poop deck, rudder and propeller - which are already detached from the
stern.
On the
project's timeframe, Klaas Reinigert says:
"During
the first quarter of 2009 we will start test drilling. We plan to be ready
to start lifting in June, following the drilling and pulling of 12 chains
under the stern. We should finish the project during August."
Monitoring
the project on behalf of the Government, the Secretary of State's
Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, Hugh Shaw said
"I
am delighted that the Owners have placed another contract for the removal
of the final section of the MSC NAPOLI. From the onset of the incident they
have shown tremendous resolve and commitment to remove the bunkers, cargo
and the wreck. This contract marks the final piece of the jigsaw and I look
forward to a successful operation."
Copyright of this item is Crown Copyright.
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